GS&WR Class 333

GSR 333/338/342 Class
Type and origin Power type Steam Designer Coey (333) A. W. Harty (342) Builder Inchicore Build date 1907—1908 (333) 1936 (342) Total produced 13 (333 & 342)
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-4-0 Gauge 5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm) Leading dia. 3 ft 0 in (910 mm) Driver dia. 5 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,740 mm) Length 30 ft 1+3⁄4 in (9,188 mm) Adhesive weight 32 long tons (33 t) Loco weight 51.5 long tons (52.3 t) Water cap. 3,450 imp gal (15,700 L; 4,140 US gal) Boiler pressure 180 lbf/in2 (1.24 MPa) Cylinders 2 Cylinder size 18 in × 26 in (457 mm × 660 mm)
Performance figures Tractive effort 18,820 lbf (83.72 kN)
Career Operators Great Southern Railways (GSR) CIÉ Class D4 (Inchicore) Power class L Number in class 8 (333) 5 (342) Numbers 333—340,342—346 Locale Ireland Withdrawn 1955—1960
Class 342 as built except where noted

The Great Southern Railways (GSR) Class 342 consisted of five 4-4-0 locomotives built by Inchicore railway works in 1936. They were a late follow on from the GSR Class 333 originally built by the Great Southern and Western Railway (GS&WR) in 1907/1908.

Design and modifications

The locomotives were essentially modelled on the 1927 rebuild of Locomotive 338 of Class 333. The 5 feet 8+1⁄2 inches (1,740 mm) driving wheels and less than 16 long ton maximum axle load were suitable for go anywhere and secondary passenger and mixed duties as opposed to the 6 feet 7 inches (2,010 mm) driving wheels of classes 301 through 321 which were more suited to express passenger work.

Service

In practice all members of these classed were treated interchangeably for operational purposes. A 16 long tons (16 t) maximum axle load allowed the class to be used almost anywhere. The were assessed in 1948 as quite powerful and fast and especially useful for passenger specials.

Loan to GNRI

In 1946 Locomotive 346 which was an oil burner at the time was lent to the Great Northern Railway (GNRI) to operate the Dublin-Bundoran express as far as Dundalk.